Have read on posts that radiotherapy and metals e.g. in deoderants, shampoo etc don't mix. Does it make any difference having amalgam fillings. Maybe just being stupid but seems like a fairly valid question.

Joan.

Hi! Joan
Yes I was told the same thing when I had my RT last year, but they only told me to use Deodorant lightly if needed because there is Aluminium in most deodorants that can effect the beam, BUT ONLY IF IT IS SPRAYED OR ROLLED INTO THE RT ZONE. Nothing has been told to me since I have been having RT over my Pancreas and that goes from just below my underarm pit to my bellybutton (roughly).
TREV

Hello Joan ,it all depends on where the RT is being beamed ,in head and neck you do need to be careful as any oil based products on targeted areas can cause more burning to the skin .Some people do have amalgamated fillings replaced or in some cases if back teeth are in poor condition will be advised to have them removed .

This will depend on treatment area and I would check this with your oncologist Joan .

My hubby has great teeth thank goodness but did have amalgum fillings in back teeth.He responded to RT very badly and had severe facial and neck burning but was due to his skin being radiosensitive .He has no saliva production now at all and initially needed frequent dentist visits to repair fillings etc but now his teeth are ok and holding on to them .

They are not as white as they were but his dry mouth does not help .Using the dental products and dry mouth washes is definately helping.

Hope this is of some help.
Bell.

Thanks Hagg and Bell. Paul's teeth are in good shape but does have amalgam fillings. Asked oncologist of the amalgam made any difference but think she was a bit irritated by that and said no. Would still like a definitive answer, perhaps Dr Joshi could explain. Suppose with all the mercury current mercury issues, creeping into another minefield! Would still like to know though.

Joan.

Hello Joan

The silver amalgam filling has two properties that impact on the radiotherapy. The density of the filling will affect the penetration of the beam through it so the radiation oncologist will need to take account of this if it interferes with where the beam is directed - the tooth might be extracted. The filling can also cause scatter and reflect the beam back increasing the theoretical risk of mucositis in the adjacent tissue (cheek) but this is usually not a big problem. To reduce this kind of problem, a soft vinyl cap is often fitted over a gold full veneer crown to keep the tissue away from contact with the metal. ( Perhaps blowing one's cheeks out might have the same protective effect )

Best wishes

Vinod

Hi Dr Joshi,

Just to give you the bigger picture. I work for the dentist that referred Paul for the lump he originally had in his neck. Did my National Examination at the London Hospital about 1978 and Dental Health Education at Tottenham. Have worked in the same general practice as manager for approx 26 years. Constantly refer patients for routine stuff and have referred,on very few occasions urgently, mostly NAD. However anyone we have referred with something really serious, apart from hospitals notifying us of such, we have never seen the patient again - think their dentistry needs have been treated by hospital. Ocologist has asked if I will sort out his dental care and am happy to do that but quite frankly we have never had a patient like Paul in all the years I have been there. Principal of practice also and he is not a spring chicken either! I read in another post that someone had wrote that they felt isolated as at their GP's practice, as they were the only patient the Dr had, same for us. He will have a check up next week, scale and polish etc. Guess by the little chin tapper you probably think I am being over anxious and probably right but want to look after him properly. Teeth are pretty good, as mentioned, a few amalgam fillings. Should we change them to composites? Should he be treated at Dental Hospital? Bit of guidance would be good as all kicking off soon and first do no harm springs to mind.

By the way Dr Joshi, have great sense of humour, look younger than I am and generally treat life like the little caption you put at the end of your posts. Just kidding but appreciate your advice.

Thanks

Joan